‘Small Blacks’ give Tuskers a Rugby lesson at Nittawela. Brilliant running rugby reduces locals to an awe- inspiring experience. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor).
If there was lessons learnt in rugby, Sri Lanka’s Tuskers can reflect on an awakening of how to construct a win with a simple mindset, and a focus on basics, taught to them by the mini All Blacks, or ‘Small Blacks ‘ as I choose to call them, in Nittawela.
The historic contest between the two nations which attracted a mammoth rugby following from the hill country, lived upto all expectations as the young brigade from one of the best Rugby Union nations in the world, showed how it can to be done.
Lesson one was to nullify the home crowd advantage by scoring first, they did that twice, then going to work on securing victory which they carried out like the professionals they are to a comprehensive 50- 10 thrashing that left their opponents and a gobsmacked crowd in awe.
The ‘Small Blacks’, for the want of a description, were clinical in their work ethic as they showed that a shortened preparation and lack of playing time together was no deterrent to composing a winning combination, whereas Sri Lanka’s team in a similar situation, failed to find the necessary cohesion to counter the slick and rampaging Kiwis.
It was a game of fast open rugby as both teams lifted the tempo to thrill the over capacity crowd as the hills surrounding Nittawela first reverberated to the fierce ringing of the famous Haka, live for the first time since 1907, then to the mesmerising game style of a team that raised a roar from the enthusiastic fans who were treated to champagne rugby.
What could have turned into a closer contest was snuffed out by the fitter and technically superior New Zealanders who methodically ground their opponents out of the contest with their relentless onslaught that ultimately had the home team spent and in disarray.
So the next lesson learnt was staying power, with strength and conditioning a clear factor lacking among the Lankans, opposed to a team who clearly suffered from the extremely humid conditions, but countered it with superb skill and determination. They also overcame the oppressive heat with clever tactical manoeuvres that sapped the fight out of the opposition.
Sri Lanka were gallant in many aspects despite the final scoreline but were exposed for their panic and ineffective defensive efforts when under seige, allowing the visitors to run away with the game. There was plenty of bravado among the locals as they valiantly tackled and attacked at stages trying to avoid the expected avalanche.
The Tuskers were also guilty og failing to capatilise on the weight advantage allowed to them in the forwards, as they time and again squandered scoring opportunities by turning the ball over in attacking situations. The credit here goes to the superb spoiling work of the Kiwis who rattled them with bone jarring tackles.
There were times, particularly when Sri Lanka answered New Zealand’s first two tries with one of their own that the Lankans were up to the fight. But at 7 /12 down, that thought perished and was soon extinguished when New Zealand went into damage control mode and piled on three more unanswered tries to put them beyond reach by the half.
The Small Blacks for their lesson, learnt that Sri Lanka were no pushovers, and had an exciting game style that would have troubled many of the best if not for their smaller stature.
The weight restriction concept awoke the New Zealanders to the fact that teams like Sri Lanka could be nurtured to produce a Japan like presence in the world game given the opportunity. The passion and following among players and spectators in this game was a prime example of the potential for expansion and marketing possibilities.
The euphoria of a 59/19 thrashing of Malaysia recently, was put in perspective for the Lankans and the stark reality of the difference between Asian rugby and the best in the world.
Given that Sri Lanka rested some key players for the more important assignments against South Korea, Hong Kong And UAE means that this game could have been closer. But that assumption will be addressed if coach Sanath Martis rolls the dice and plays some of them in the second leg on Colombo.
While that seems unlikely and may not prove much against the Small Blacks, it could be interesting and give the visitors a better impression to take back home.
Either way, the inaugural Graham Henry trophy seems firmly in the grasp of the visitors in game two, but a better showing is expected from the hosts in Sri Lanka’s capital.
For the record, The Small Blacks struck twice in the opening quarter through tries from Josh Pudon and Pasia Asiata before Sri Lanka replied by using their weight advantage to score a pushover try after a well constructed rolling maul resulted in Dahan Wickremarachchi touching down.
Skipper Nigel Ratwatte converted and put over a penalty from 35 metres later out before the Kiwi try riot unfolded at will against a visibly tiring home team.
Jack Laity, Asiata(2), Francis Morrison (2), and Ben Scott scored the rest of New Zealand’s eight tries to one.
Skipper Jarrad Perceval converted four of them.
Referee James Clement had a wonderful job with the whistle.
